July 2
It’s time for a well-deserved vacation. Speaking of which, do you ever hear anyone say, “he didn’t deserve that vacation” ? Anyway, deserve has nothing to do with it — it’s the law, and I’m a law-abiding citizen.
I now leave behind a world where the Giants are sinking like a bowling ball in a lake; where ESPN tracks Lebron’s every movement and NBA owners throw ridiculous amounts of money at anyone who can make a basket; a world where the Warriors are having an open house.
Nelly and I will have something in common for the next ten days. Neither of us will be coaching in the Vegas Summer League and both will enjoy the surf in Maui. I expect the sports world to be intact when I return.
Bwaaaahaha. Like I care right now. Aloha, beyotches !!!!
My major task now is to load my iPod. The following are some of the tunes that make up my library. I’m not doing this to show you how cool and eclectic my tastes are; frankly I don’t care. But maybe there are a few songs you like, too:
“Black Hole Sun” Soundgarden
Evocative of the Beatles, my favorite offering from the 90′s Seattle music scene.
“Doo Wop ( That Thing )” Lauryn Hill
IMHO one of the very best songs of the 90′s. What happened to her ?
“Virtual Insanity” Jamiroquai
Just a catchy, bouncy, soulful toe-tapper. Also one of the best of the 90′s.
“You Get What You Give” New Radicals
You have to get up and move with this song, plus he rips Marilyn Manson.
“The Way” Fastball
Go ahead, rip me. I saw them in concert and they sucked but I love the song. Very catchy chorus.
“Enter Sandman” Metallica
A song that spans generations. Scary and compelling at the same time.
“Santeria” Sublime
My son practiced this song on his guitar approximately 25,000 times and I STILL like it.
“Love Will Find A Way” Blessid Union of Souls
Just a great universal message, crossing racial lines.
“Shake Some Action” The Flamin’ Groovies
SF pre-punk band; one of the very best tunes of the 70′s.
“A Million Miles Away” The Plimsouls
Quite possibly the best song of the 80s, again IMHO. Killer chorus.
“Mexican Radio” Wall of Voodoo
“Wish I was in Tijuana, eating barbecued iguana … ” Gold !
“Reet Petite” Jackie Wilson
The black Elvis? Elvis was the white Jackie Wilson. Another toe-tapper.
“Float On” Modest Mouse
I blame my son for this one, too. Pounding beat is infectious.
“Fallin” Alicia Keys
Probably my favorite R & B singer today.
“Making Memories Of Us” Keith Urban
Yes, that’s right, a country song. Played at our wedding. A tear-jerker.
“Live Like You Were Dyin’ ” Tim McGraw
Yes, that’s right, another country song. Highly inspirational. Not played at our wedding.
“Crazy” Gnarls Barkley
Does that make me crazy? Probably.
“Independence Day” Martina McBride
Let freedom ring ! Martina is a secret crush and she sings the hell out of this.
“Get It Over” Patsy Cline
That’s right, yet another country song. Deal with it. My iPod definitely has room for the great Miss Patsy and her best song.
“The Middle” Jimmy Eat World
A song of encouragement for young teens, and it rocks the s— out of my car once in a while.
“Wish You Were Here” Pink Floyd
Every time my wife and I hear this , the radio is turned up and we sing along. Almost on key.
“Amber” 311
It creates a mood and feeling that takes you away. Wonderful for a trip to Maui.
“Samba Pa Ti” Santana
Same thing. Listening to him play this tune is almost a spiritual experience. Will be played at my funeral.
“This Is A Man’s World” James Brown and Pavarotti
Whoever thought to combine the two is a damn genius. Powerful.
“Stuck In a Moment” U2
The basic message is — get off your ass ! The timing of this song was very significant in my life.
“Sea of Heartbreak” Don Gibson
You’re damn right it’s another country song. The Sad Poet could flat-out write. I don’t care how old it is.
“Do What You Want” Don Preston
I’m biased here. He’s my brother in law but his resume is unbelievable, and this is a great “F U” break-up song.
“Dark End Of The Street” Percy Sledge
A song made famous by the movie “The Commitments.” One of the best fookin’ soul tracks of the 60′s, you know.
“Bad Time” Grand Funk
This much-maligned 70′s band hit this one out of the park. Pure pop perfection.
“Nowhere Man” The Beatles
You thought I would go obscure Beatles ? A simple classic of self-examination. Was John singing to himself ?
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“Trapped” Bruce Springsteen
This Jimmy Cliff Song is possibly Bruce’s best performance. Those who have been in a bad relationship know how this feels.
“You’ve Got What It Takes” Dinah Washington and Brooke Benton
They’re so good the producers of the record kept a mistake in the song, and it still rocks and flows. “I like your spot.”
“Into the Mystic” Van Morrison
Loved this song the first time I heard it, and that hasn’t changed one bit. A go-to Woodson karaoke song.
“Gypsy Woman” Brian Hyland
It’s amazing that the same person who sang “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” sang this classic Impressions tune.
“People Get Ready” The Impressions
God how we miss people like Curtis Mayfield. The Civil Rights anthem. Sweet, gentle, brilliant guitar phrasing.
“What’s Going On” Marvin Gaye
God how we miss people like Marvin Gaye, every single day. Takes me back to the summer of ’71 and a great message.
“You’re Still A Young Man” Tower of Power
Awwwwww yeah. Oakland’s own, and still blowing. Takes me back to the summer of ’74.
There are many more in the library. I won’t even begin to explain the presence of Miss Toni Fisher, Happy the Man, King Crimson, Billy Stewart or Kayak. Nobody would understand. Aloha.
